3 Oct 2013

Waitangi claim considered to challenge Govt social policies

6:42 am on 3 October 2013

A Wellington-based Maori trust board chair is considering filing a contemporary Waitangi Tribunal claim to challenge the Government's social welfare policies, which he says are failing Maori.

Neville Baker, the chair of Te Runanganui o Taranaki Whanui ki te Upoko Ika a Maui, raised the suggestion during a public consultation hui about the Maori Community Development Act.

Mr Baker says a claim could make the Government accountable for the plight being faced by Maori.

He believes that if Government policies are truly effective, there should not be any low decile schools which many tangata whenua are attending.

Mr Baker says the Government needs to change its policies in order to curb the number of Maori in negative social sectors, such as unemployment or going through the justice system.